An Army Is Forming To Battle Patent Trolls
rackspace.com
An Army Is Forming To Battle Patent Trolls
1–10 of 43 posts
Re: An Army Is Forming To Battle Patent Trolls
#2go get em. where is the flattr button?
Re: An Army Is Forming To Battle Patent Trolls
#3go get em. where is the flattr button?
Yeah! Been waiting for this forever. +1.
Re: An Army Is Forming To Battle Patent Trolls
#4I'd certainly like to see EFF on that list, but we've got Business Software Alliance (Microsoft) and Engine Advocacy (Google) on there. No one with strong grassroots ties among startups unfortunately.
Re: An Army Is Forming To Battle Patent Trolls
#5I'd certainly like to see EFF on that list, but we've got Business Software Alliance (Microsoft) and Engine Advocacy (Google) on there. No one with strong grassroots ties among startups unfortunately.
BSA? One of the more prominent backers of SOPA? Are you kidding me? These are the same goons who send threatening letters about EULA violations on their members' (Apple and Microsoft being prominent) behalf. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
Re: An Army Is Forming To Battle Patent Trolls
#6I tried to measure HN interest in Crowd Sourcing challenges to Patent Trolls (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5573778).
It is very commendable that rackspace is taking this to task on both fronts, individual patent challenges and lobbying efforts to change the law. However, this also has the immediate effect of encouraging trolls to go after the little guys and no longer companies who can afford litigate.
Re: An Army Is Forming To Battle Patent Trolls
#7I'm with you!
I seem to recall a time when "ly'ers" (lawyers) were prohibited from assuming political office...
Now they've taken over.
Re: An Army Is Forming To Battle Patent Trolls
#8I'd certainly like to see EFF on that list, but we've got Business Software Alliance (Microsoft) and Engine Advocacy (Google) on there. No one with strong grassroots ties among startups unfortunately.
BSA? One of the more prominent backers of SOPA? Are you kidding me? These are the same goons who send threatening letters about EULA violations on their members' (Apple and Microsoft being prominent) behalf. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
You're getting the nerd outrage talking points mixed up. This thread is about patent trolling (which the BSA is against), not copyright trolling (which the BSA pioneered).
Re: An Army Is Forming To Battle Patent Trolls
#9hmmm, so I looked into this whole Rackspace vs Parallel Iron that this stems from and learned this:
1) Parallel Iron is a company that isn't a shell company but owned by the lead inventor (see U.S. patent 7,958,388)
2) Parallel Iron is the original assignee on the patent
3) According to one source, that inventor waited for 26 months while Rackspace and its mega-firm lawyers dragged out negotiations. This point is harder to confirm - but the dates seem to provide support
So I really can't see Rackspace as the victim here. I feel for the inventor who spent the time and effort to work out the details, commercialize it, and then commercialize. When Rackspace copied his technology, they shunned him and wouldn't license - forcing the inventor to no other choice than litigation. Sad, but happens all the time. Apple no less has said they won't listen to any external company/inventor UNTIL they know they are serious with litigation/court action.
In the past I am always censored/muted and have never been able to respond for days/weeks until long after the story closes - so sorry I likely won't be able to respond further after this. But hey - it's hacker news board.
Re: An Army Is Forming To Battle Patent Trolls
#10I'm with you! I seem to recall a time when "ly'ers" (lawyers) were prohibited from assuming political office... Now they've taken over.
Just to stick up for my kind a little (lawyers that is), Thomas Jefferson was a 21 year old lawyer when he drafted the Declaration of Independence; good ol' Honest Abe was a lawyer and pushed for the Emancipation Proclamation; and one of my personal favorites is Gandhi.
And to stick up for the profession not just a few individuals, when Clinton lied under oath, the only real action taken against him was by his State Bar who immediately disbarred him despite him being President and unlikely to ever practice again.
Edit: Jefferson was 33 when he drafted the Declaration of Independence (credit - rqwerwqerwr)